Slí na Sláinte Routes In County Waterford

Dungarvan Slí

The Slí starts in Grattan Square, location for the best markets in years gone by and the route of the Tour de France in 1998. Exit the square by the Bank of Ireland into Bridge Street and proceed over the Portland Stone Bridge across the River. Walk along the causeway towards the traffic lights with the Harbour on your right and a view of Helvick Head across the Bay. Ahead is Cruachan, the Hill that overlooks the Town. Go through the traffic lights and after passing the two petrol stations turn left at Crotty’s Corner, the junction with the Coast Road. On arriving at the By-Pass Road turn left. You will see the Avonmore/Waterford Group in the distance and on your right the Park Hotel. Cross the river and go straight through the roundabout passing the entrance to the Milk Plant on the left and the Fire Station on your right.

Go straight though the traffic lights and continue to next roundabout. On your right is the Dungarvan Plant of Waterford Crystal. The Road on your left takes you back to town. Pass Eden Garden Centre on your right and ahead you should see Helvick Head across the bay. At the final roundabout on the sea front, turn left to go back into town. After a short distance you will pass the mast and dishes of Casey’s Cablevision on your left, the Esso Petrol Station on you right and further along the Garda Station on your left. At the next junction, bear right by the school wall and at the Parish Church turn left down the Hill of Mary Street to bring you again to Grattan Square

Graigueshoneen (unmarked) Slí 3.3km

Suitable as daytime walks only and both routes can be walked in either direction.

Kilmacthomas Slí

The Kilmacthomas Slí na Sláinte is a 5.5km route starting at the old post office in the centre of the village and continuing uphill towards the soccer field, where you will pass the first Km mark. Continue downhill, noticing the picturesque Comeragh Mountains to the right, towards Dooceys Bohereen and on to the cross. Turn left onto the main road and pass the Stradbally junction (where a recent archaeological dig revealed a bronze-age settlement) and continue for over two km passing Bonmahon Cross and turning left at the next t-junction. Walking back towards Kilmacthomas village (the birthplace of Hollywood legend Tyrone Power!), notice the old woollen mill on the left, started by Lady Waterford. Turn left at the junction and cross the historic bridge over the River Mahon, this will take you back to your starting point at the old post office.

Stradbally Slí

The Slí begins at the Barrack Cross in Stradbally Village. On reading the mapsign, follow the directional signs up the hill where the Tramore coastline comes into view. On a clear day it is possible to see the Hook Head lighthouse from this point. Descend the hill to Ballyvooney Cove with views of Gull Island to your right. The route continues past the cove uphill, where you will be able to see the majestic Comeragh Mountains to your left. Keep going along this route to the junction of the coast road to Bonmahon, past the Littlewood Gardens where the route turns left. At the next junction take another left turn and you will pass Tobber Cill Eilbe and two Ogham Stones. Traditionally this Holy Well was thought to have curative properties on the Cunningham Farm. Continuing past the GAA centre and playing field you are now in view of the village once more. Descend the hill to bring you back to your start point where you can feel proud having completed the 4.6km.

Tramore Slí

The Tramore Slí is a 4.9km route, which starts on Church Road and follows the coastline along the Doneraile Walk. On your immediate left you will see Tramore Strand, which stretches for almost 3 miles. In the distance you will notice the sand dunes, which are some of the highest dunes in Ireland. You will also see Tramore Promenade and Amusement Park. The Doneraile Walk is home to many historical features, which reflect the maritime nature of Tramore. An ancient canon gun lies on top of the cliff overlooking the entrance to the bay. On your right a Memorial Stone has been erected to commemorate the military victims of the Sea Horse Tragedy (1816) in Tramore Bay, when 363 people were drowned.

At the end of the Doneraile Walk you will be greeted by a series of steps, which lead onto The Cove. A Haunted Well is located at the foot of the steps, so beware the spirits that are occasionally seen at midnight! Turning left towards Lady Elizabeth’s Cove you will notice the meandering ramps on the right. Proceed up the ramps, which will terminate at the Cliff Road. The Cliff Road runs parallel to the cliff face until it reaches the Guillameen, which formerly used to be a ‘male preserve’ but has since become a mixed bathing area. From the Guillameen you can see three 18 metre high pillars. The Metal Man (1824), perched on the pillar centre, warns mariners of the dangers of Tramore Bay. On leaving the Guillameen, turn left off the main road and down towards Newtown Glen. In the Glen, underneath the canopy of the trees and alongside the gently flowing stream, you will see some beautiful native flora and fauna. Continue along the woodland path and turn left once you reach the Cliff Road again. Turn right at next T-junction. Along this road you will encounter some of the many leisure facilities that Tramore boasts, namely Newtown Camping and Caravan Park, Newtown Golf Practice Range and Tramore Golf Club. On passing the golf club you will descend down Newtown Hill and back again onto Church Road where you will see the Anglican Christ Church (1850) on your left. The adjacent graveyard contains a Cenotaph to those who perished in the Sea Horse Tragedy.